Today is the day where I finally write about the facelifted W205 Mercedes-Benz C 200 Avantgarde variant which I managed to try out last November during the media drive in conjunction with its Malaysian launch. This is the current entry level model in the Malaysian C-Class range, which goes up to the C300 AMG-Line, the AMG C43 and the AMG C63 S. No C180 variant in the current line-up for now but usually the C180 has been sold here in small numbers annually on a batch by batch basis.
So the C200 is the base C-Class variant here usually. This time, the entry level C200 comes in the Avantgarde specification form. This is the slightly sportier variant which sits above the Classic variant and slightly below the AMG-Line variants. Prior to this facelift, the C200 was sold in Classic and also AMG-Line variants. It was extremely popular in the AMG-Line variant which was sold prior to this facelifted model being launched.
Anyway, enough about the history of the W205 here in Malaysia and let us move on with the review of the C200 Avantgarde. The facelifted 2019 Model Year Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde (AV from now onwards) gets the usual facelifted bits of the W205. New light clusters front and back, a new front and rear bumper design, which gets a sporty looking ‘X’ designed bumper vents. Quite like the AMG-Line bumper but with a less aggressive design, slightly softer in terms of its lines.
The lights are also slightly better looking, in keeping with the facelift philosophy. 18inch multispoke alloy wheels finish off the exterior change. All of these make the C200 AV quite a good looking, but not overtly sporty in nature. It sits in between the Classic and the AMG-Line in terms of looks as in AV form uses the sportier logo in grille styling.
As for the interior, it gets a digital instrument cluster and a larger centre infotainment screen. These two changes actually make the facelifted C200 AV look extremely nice. The screens have more colour in their usual display format. It makes the interior feel very 2019 in terms of visual displays but still nicely melding with the classy interior of the W205. The larger infotainment screen looks its part in making the C200’s interior look expensive, which is a good thing in a premium compact sedan.
Aside from that, the interior is as sublime as ever. As I have been writing about, the W205 C-class’ interior actually moved the benchmark in terms of premium compact car interiors. From the luxurious looking multiple air-vents, to the nicely sculpted seats and the materials used, the W205 C-Class actually moved the goalposts on how an entry level premium sedan’s interior should look and feel like. Call me a fanboy, but after sitting in many a competitor’s car I still feel that this is the interior that makes you feel like you’ve actually made it in life. Unless you buy an E-Class or a S-Class that is.
So essentially, you do get better instrumentation inside and the rest feels as good as it ever was.
In terms of other equipment, the new C200 comes with a new 1.5liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine which makes a total of 184hp / 280Nm combined with 13hp (177hp from the engine = 184hp) and 160Nm from what Mercedes-Benz calls the EQ Boost system. This is essentially mild hybridisation technology in play here. The new EQ Boost system of the C200 here is actually a smart starter / alternator combo system which actually adds power to the engine (via the crankshaft). So whilst the main engine seems to be a tiny little tot, this additional EQ Boost system helps this small capacity engine out a bit.
The Drive Experience
The C200 AV drives quite well with this small powerplant. It is rear wheel drive and gets its power transmitted from the engine via Mercedes-Benz’s 9 speed automatic transmission which it calls 9G-Tronic. It is quite a smart gearbox which shifts smoothly and as fast as it is needed (not lightning quick, but fast enough for spirited driving). In terms of overall synergy between the engine and the drivetrain, it’s all good and refined here.
Now being a 1.5liter engine, even with some mild hybrid boosting, it does feel a little flat when you’re gunning it. On the way up to Cameron Highlands via the superbly undulating Sungai Koyan route it felt adequate in terms of power delivery. Only higher up the rev-range it struggles and it feels like a small little engine up in the higher rev-range so there is still no replacement for actual displacement. No matter how smart this new powertrain may be.
Of course it is lucky is has a nicely spaced gearing to go with it – the gearbox helps make up for the smaller capacity by being in the right gear. But do note, this is still something with over 285Nm of torque and would easily do the 0-100kmh mark in under 8 seconds easily. We are talking in relatives here of course.
In terms of ride quality, this C200 AV rides well for its 18inch wheel and tyre setup. There is some improvement in terms of ride quality ( and less road noise) compared to the pre-facelift C180 and C200 (non AMG-Line variants). It feels as comfy as the C180 on its tiny 17inchers. To me this means that the facelift model has suspension work done to it and do nite, the engineers seem to have perfected its ride for use with run flat tyres. The W205 was, is the first C-Class that used RFTs and it showed with the slightly jittery ride. Not any more.
However, if you are talking about outright cornering ability, this is still a Mercedes-Benz without any AMG bits and bobs. This means that its front end washes out quite easily and understeer is the cornering method preferred. It does not feel nose heavy or anything if you are going at normal speeds, it actually has a nice initial turn-in with a lot of bite at lower speeds. The car is easy to manoeuvre at low speeds and even when you’re placing it into a corner. It is just at attack mode speeds that it wants you to take the corner slower a bit.
It corners this way as it is the most comfortable C-Class on sale today. Even the more expensive C300 AMG-Line with its air-suspension isn’t as comfortably sprung as this variant. So it basically targets those that want comfort over anything else. That said, this would be a superb car for one to do a drive from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket as it is so comfortable for such long distance driving. Just don’t push it too hard in the corners and it will be fine. You and your passengers will be fine too as it is super refined.
I must also say that with the smaller than the larger 19 or 20inch wheels of the larger Mercedes-Benz sedans the C200 AV rides extremely well and because the tyres are narrower, the road noise is so much lesser. Coupled with the fact that the engine is small and actually very silent and smooth to its redline, it makes this compact sedan heckuva refined. It is much more comfortable in terms of its ride than the pre-facelift C200 AMG-Line I had the opportunity to try earlier but because of this, it will not corner as hard as that model. Not that I am complaining as again, it is more refined than any pre-facelift W205 model that came before it.
I enjoyed driving the C 200 AV not because of its cornering abilities...it has less cornering abilities than the earlier C200 AMG-Line and especially the current C300 (which is fabulous – a review will come shortly). But you don’t buy this C200 to corner. You buy this C200 to waft in silence and comfort. And with that luxurious interior... It MAY be entry level C-Class, but it is still first class all the way.
In terms of other upgrades, the facelifted C200 AV gets more Active Safety equipment than previously. This means that it has Pre-Collision Warning and also Blind Spot monitors to go with the usual slew of airbags, ABS, EBD, TCS, sealbelts, ISOFIX and other safety nomenclature. It only lacks the additional lane-keeping assist systems of the pricier and more powerful C300 AMG-Line.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde is actually quite a good upgrade from the pre-facelift model. It does hit the bullseye in terms of overall refinement, and it does bring back some memories of how Mercedes-Benzes of old feel whilst in mid-corner (all understeery but it happens at higher than usual speeds – What can I say, I am spoilt by how good these newer Mercedes are). This problem was made even more by the fact that the C300 AMG-Line ticks even more boxes of what I feel a premium sports sedan must feel.
So all-in-all, a great upgrade in many ways over the previous C200. Recommended for those that want to feel they’ve made it in life at under RM259,888 onwards. The only thing is that if you want to corner really fact in a C-Class, you may need to buy higher up the range.
Facelift C200 AV product brief
The C 200 now comes with an enhanced with the AVANTGARDE exterior features as a dynamic front bumper with central trim element in high-sheen chrome and air inlets with diamond-pattern mesh in grained black. With the twin pipe exhaust system in high-gloss chrome at the rear bumper sharpen the sporty appearance of the vehicle.
The new-look C-Class combines emotionality with intelligence. The focus of the redesign work was on the front of the vehicle as well as the design of the headlamps and the rear lamps. Both, the headlamps and rear lamps is defined by clear-lined contours. Exquisitely crafted details add highlights and underscore the modern character, particular by its sophisticated LED high performance headlamps and rear lamps on the Mercedes-Benz C 200 that enhances the design of the vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz C 300 and Mercedes- AMG C 43, on the other hand, is equipped with the Multibeam LED headlights system that provides optimum visibility in all conditions.
In terms of interior, the new generation C-Class features high-quality materials and the excellent integration of functional elements with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit – a cutting-edge screen design that offers three different display styles; “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”. The styles can be switched quickly according to personal tastes or to suit the selected interior. The new high-resolution 10.25-inch media display can be operated with two touch control buttons on the sporty steering wheel. The touch sensitive control also responds to swiping motions just like the screen of a smartphone. It enables the driver to control the functions of the instrument cluster and the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
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